Chapter 5
2876 Words
Dawn POV
“Good morning Millie” I greet her cheerfully and she gives me a small smile
“Hey Dawn” she says and I hand the list
“How are you this lovely morning?” I ask but she just shrugs
“Good, I guess” she says shyly and I walk around the store, grabbing the required items. I circle back to her and the bell chimes again. It’s a man, I hear the heavy footsteps
“Millie”
“Clemens” she says and I glance at her. Wow she doesn’t like this guy
“Just passing through again?” he asks and I know he’s talking to me
“Leave her alone Flint” she says but he moves closer to me. I take a deep breath and raise my eyes to meet his. He’s tallish, maybe 6’1”, broad shoulders, tan skin with scruffy hair and a longer than necessary beard. He’s not odd looking, I just have no desire to be near a man now
“Well hello missy” he says and leans against the counter, folding his arms over his chest. Alpha move
“Hi, I’m almost done, right Mill” I say smiling and she nods handing me the bags
“Thanks Millie, have a great day” I say happily and look back at him
“Enjoy your day Clemens” I say and turn on my heel walking out. I hear him following me as I move quickly to get to the truck
“Hey, sweetheart, wait up” he says and I place the stuff in the back and getting in. He knocks on the window and I have to bite my tongue not to say something to him. I look at him and he gestures for me to roll down the window
“Yes” I say sweetly and he leans in, his arm on the door
“How ‘bout I do you a favor” he says and I clench my jaw, but smile
“Oh? What would that be?” I ask and he tips his hat up with his index finger
“Date, you and me tomorrow night” he says and I bite back my laugh
“Oh no, I couldn’t possibly” I say and he leans closer
“Come on darlin’” he says
“Won’t I be doing you a favor?”
“Naw, you got it wrong” he says, chuckling
“How’s that?”
“If you go on a date with me, I’ll be doing you a favor” he says
“Not answering the question” I state
“If you go on a date with me, you’ll never want another man sweetheart” he says
“Presumptuous don’t you think?”
“Nah, a public service really” he says
“Well, I’m busy but maybe another time. Good day” I say starting the truck, give him a million dollar smile and pull away, leaving him standing in the street, laughing. What an ass! I drive to the ranch dancing and singing along to the music, having a real great day. Well until my phone rings and I answer
“Yellow!” I answer
“Ror” his voice seem tired and broken
“Jake? What’s wrong?” I ask and he sighs
“I… s**t” he goes silent and I pull off the road looking at the phone
“Jakey, talk to me” I say and he heaves out another breath. It’s like past midnight there, why is he still up?
“I can’t sleep” he says and I chuckle
“I gathered”
“I want him dead Ror, I want to kill him so badly” he says and I go cold
“W-who?”
“What do you mean who? Leroy” he barks out and I wince
“Jake no, this is not-“
“f**k! Why does everyone keep telling me no?!” he hollers and I sit back closing my eyes
“Because you would actually do it” I say honestly but he’s silent
“I get that you’re angry, I do. But please don’t do anything rash okay?” I say but he doesn’t answer
“Jakey?” nothing
“Jacob!” I yell and he huffs
“Yeah… I’m just so torn up Ror” he says, his voice cracking
“I know honey, just let this run its course” I say but he huffs again
“He did this to you Ror! How can you be so f*****g calm about this?! He wants to ruin you, hell he’s already doing it!” he yells and I sit there looking out at the mountains
“Because I have no choice Jake” I say, my voice small
“What?”
“I have no choice. If I say or do anything now, it’ll look as if I’m guilty, as if it was intended. I didn’t want to hurt him, I just-“
“I do!”
“Yes I-“
“Dammit!” I hear a loud bang
“Jake!”
“I hate him, so much. Rory, he hurt you, badly and I want him to feel what I feel. I want him to heal slowly like you did” he says and I sigh
“I love you too bro” I say wiping my tears
“How can you be so forgiving?”
“You know me, always happy and positive” I say and he chuckles
“Yeah, that’s you alright”
“Listen Jake, I love you so much for this, I do, but please just think about the consequences. If you do this, he’s going to win. He will sue you too” I say and he lets out a sigh
“Yeah”
“He’ll have reason to harm you and the company”
“I know”
“And besides, orange is not your color darling” I say and he chuckles
“God Ror, I wish I could be so laid back about this like you are” he says and my heart clenches. I don’t sleep brother, I’m constantly looking over my shoulder in fear
“I have always been the logical one” I say and he laughs
“No you haven’t”
“I beg your pardon sir, I have been”
“No you’re not. That would be me” he says and I laugh
“Jakey, you need sleep. I can hear how tired you are, please you’re going to burn yourself out” I say and he groans
“I miss you” he says, his voice calmer
“Hah! I knew it! She wins again!” I exclaim and he chuckles again
“Yeah okay, that head of yours can’t grow any bigger”
“Oh yes it can. Besides, I need at least four more sizes to fit into your hat sir” I smirk and he laughs
“Whatever, the only thing that would fit you is a hot air balloon”
“You are confused dear brother, we’re talking about me not you” I bite back and he laughs again
“Okay nerd, be safe” he says
“Love you bro”
“Goodnight” he says
“Good day sir” I say and he chuckles before cutting the call. I sit there for a little while longer. I am a good actress, good enough to fool my family, if they think I’m fine. I pull away and drive home, composing myself before I jump out of the truck and grabbing the groceries
“Hey Colt! How is my favorite dog?” I ask ruffling his ears and he licks my hand
“Oh that good huh?” I laugh walking into the house, calling out to Pops
“I’m back!” I say and he answers from upstairs
“Be right down!” I unpack the groceries, then walk outside and reverse the truck into the barn to unload the supplies. I grab the bag of feed and heave
“Motherf…” I groan at the heavy bag
“Okay, brains over brawn” I say and glance around
“You struggling there?” Pops says and I look up
“Well, no, I’m just contemplating something”
“Really?” he says
“Yeah, I mean there has to be an easier way to do this” I say and he smirks
“Yeah, get a man” he says grabbing the bag easily
“Show off” I joke and he chuckles
“Go fetch the cattle would you?” he asks and I nod jumping off the truck
“Sure” I say and leave for the stables. I mount the horse and make my way to the fields. The wind is getting chillier by the day, but it’s still the most beautiful place on earth. I’ve been around, I’ve seen Paris at night, the Louvre in all its glory, the sunset in Kenya, the Great Barrier Reef but still nothing compares to this. The peace and quiet, the feeling of being free, the mountains towering over the valley, and these open blue skies. Absolutely amazing. I gather the cattle and follow them back to the barn.
“There you go ladies, sweet dreams” I chime closing the gate, checking the water before heading to the house
“There, all done” I say taking off my boots
“It’s almost Thanksgiving” Pops says and I nod
“Yup, you have any plans?”
“Yup”
“Does it involve a certain lady next door?” I ask wiggling my eyebrows and he blushes a little
“Yup, she invited us for dinner” he says and I nod happily
“Oh it will be so much fun” I say and he glances at me
“Heard Flint is being Flint” he says and I stop
“Don’t know what you’re talking about” I say and he grips my shoulder
“Rory” I turn to him
“That man is not the type of man I want near you” he says, his eyes holding me in place
“Don’t worry Pops, I believe he got the message. I’m not interested in any type of relationship, especially with a man of any kind” I say and he steps back
“Not even your old Pops?” he asks, a playful smile on his face
“I do declare sir, you are stuck with me until the end of time” I say in my southern accent and he throws his head back and laughs
“Never change pickle” he says and walks upstairs. I finish setting the table and two hours later we’re on the porch, having some cocoa
“I have been thinking about that help you spoke about” he says breaking the silence and I look at him
“Oh?”
“Yup, reckon it might be time. We can take on more cattle that way” he says and I nod
“Sure, should I put an ad out?” I ask but he shakes his head
“Nah, I’ll ask Lou. She has a lot of contacts, local is better” he says and I nod
“Okay”
“I want to ask you something” he says and I place my cup down turning to face him
“Sure Pops”
“I don’t like talkin’ ‘bout this stuff, but I need to” he says. I swallow hard, this sounds bad
“I know I’m not a young man anymore pickle” he starts “I know there is a time and place for everythin’ and I don’t want you to worry” he says and I am worried. Very worried
“Pops, are you sick?” I ask but he shakes his head
“As healthy as a horse darlin’, but there are things I want to discuss” he says and I can see he’s struggling. I place my hand over his smiling
“Okay, I’m all ears”
“You know I love your mama” I nod “I would love nothing more than to leave her the ranch” he says and my eyes go wide “But after careful consideration, I have decided to leave it to you” he says and I gasp
“No Pops-“he raises his hand
“Now Rory, I am not to be persuaded. I have made my decision” I look at him
“But what about Jake?” I ask and he smiles
“He got what he deserved” he says and I frown
“What’s that?” I ask and he chuckles
“I spoke to them last week, before I decided on this. Everyone is in agreement, you know how it works here, and Lou also agrees” he says and I blush looking at my hands
“Pops, I don’t know what to say”
“Nothing to say pickle. Knowing my life’s work will be left to you gives me peace” he says and I look up at him smiling
“Mom was okay with this?”
“Awe hell, she suggested it. She’s happy in her mansion or palace-“
“Manor”
“Yeah that. She won’t come back here, and this ranch has been in the family for five generations now. Each one adding, building and expanding. Your mama grew up here, but as much as she loves it she knows the best person to leave it to would be you” he says and I swallow the lump in my throat
“It’s so much responsibility” I say and he nods
“It is, but hard work, this type of work makes you humble” he says and I nod
“Not that you needed that, but it keeps you true to who you are” he says and I nod smiling
“It does Pops, it really does”
“Well that’s that then. Good night” he says standing but I grab his hand, raising to my feet
“Pops” he turns back, scanning my face
“Thank you, I will do you proud” I say wrapping my arms around his torso
“I know pickle. Besides Jake would want to modernize it all, went on about numbers, didn’t listen after that” he says and I chuckle, resting my head on his chest
“Jake loves it here too, but you’re right. He’s better off running dad’s company”
“You have that degree?” he asks and I nod
“Yup, mom wouldn’t let me do anything else before I didn’t get it” I chuckle
“Good, this works like a business, you just have to work with your hands and your head. Jake works with his head, he’s great at it I reckon”
“He is”
“So its better he stays where he is. Your dad needs him… and I… well I need you” he says clearing his throat and I look up. Oh wow are those tears
“I need you too. You helped me more than you’ll ever know” I say squeezing him tight before stepping away
“That’s what family is for pickle” he says kissing my head and turning to the door
“Night Pops”
“Night pickle” he says closing the door and I sit back down. Wow this is massive, this will all be mine one day, hopefully not in the near future. Crap I will have to get up to speed on the finances, Jake will help with that, and well everything else I guess. These past few months had been so awesome here, I don’t know if I want to go back. There’s so much here, things I never knew I needed. I close the door and head upstairs, taking a shower before crawling into bed
“Leroy is not here” if only for that reason I would stay here forever.
- Writer
